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Hazard Powder Company and the Market Street covered bridge photographs

Creation: 1885-1900
 Collection
Accession: 1984-267

Abstract

The Hazard Powder Company was one of the largest gunpowder and explosives manufacturers in the United States in the late-nineteenth century. This group consists of six mounted photographs showing unidentified buildings and the dam at the Hazard Powder Company in Connecticut. An unrelated print shows a covered bridge photographed in winter that crossed the Brandywine River at 16th Street in Wilmington, Delaware.

Dates

  • Creation: 1885-1900

Creator

Extent

7 item(s)

General Phsyical Description

6 photographic prints : b&w ; 5 x 6.5 in. on 8 x 10 in. mounts. 1 photographic print : b&w ; 7.25 x 9.25 in.

Historical Note

The Hazard Powder Company was one of the largest gunpowder and explosives manufacturers in the United States in the late-nineteenth century. Initially established in in 1835 as Loomis, Denslow and Company by Allen Loomis (1795-1864) and his business partners, Parkes Loomis (1792-1869), Neeland Loomis (1799-1860), and Allen A. Denslow. The powder mill was located along the Scantic River, employees lived in the company town named Hazardville, Connecticut named after Colonel Augustus Hazard (1802-1868). In 1837, Hazard acquired one quarter interest in the company and the name was changed to Loomis, Hazard & Company. In 1843, the name was changed again to the Hazard Powder Company when Hazard became the principal owner.

In 1876, years after Hazard's death, the DuPont Company, a major rival in the industry, quietly took possession of the company and continued to produce sporting and blasting powder; the most notable product selling as "Kentucky Rifle Powder." The DuPont Company had been found to be in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and was court-ordered to breakup ownership of its explosives manufacturing businesses in 1911 to 1912, and Hazard Powder Company was merged with the newly created Hercules Powder Company to comply. In January 1913, there was a large explosion at the plant causing extensive damage and the plant was permanently closed.

Scope and Content

This group consists of six mounted photographs showing unidentified buildings and the dam at the Hazard Powder Company in Connecticut. An unrelated print shows a covered bridge photographed in winter that crossed the Brandywine River at 16th Street in Wilmington, Delaware. This image also includes a corner of the Phillips Mill.

Location

GL Box 1.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Related Materials

Hazard Powder Company photographic views (Accession 1971.354), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Hazard Powder Company photographs (Accession 2020.205), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Hazard Powder Company and the Market Street covered bridge photographs
Date:
2014
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400